Baca named MSPA Drag Racer of the Year

As a result of the strong showing made during his rookie year on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, David Baca, partner and driver of the Henkelman & Baca American Racing Top Fuel Dragster, was named Drag Racer of the Year by the Motor Sport Press Association for 2003.

Baca, who finished No. 7 in 2003 NHRA POWERade point standing and was runner-up for the NHRA Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award (Rookie of the Year), will receive his award at the MSPA's Green Flag Dinner, Wednesday, March 3, 2004 in Oakland, Calif.

Baca, a second generation driver from Brentwood, Calif., will be the second member of the Baca family to receive this award. His father, Dennis, was recognized by the MSPA in the same category in 1972.

The Motor Sport Press Association is an organization comprised of professional motorsports and automotive journalists and photographers from throughout Northern California, as well as Nevada, Washington, Arizona, Indiana, and North Carolina. Through newspapers, radio, television, magazines, specialty publications, and photography, members reach an audience of more than 55 million.

For more than 37 years the members of the MSPA have covered the world of wheels, reporting the excitement of racing and addressing the important issues of racing and the automotive industry.

The MSPA annually honors outstanding performances of motorsports athletes with its Racers of the Year, Gordon Martin, and prestigious MSPA Hall of Fame awards. Additionally, the John Ryan Journalism Awards are presented to members of the MSPA in several motor sport and automotive categories for outstanding achievement in journalism, photography, and electronic media as determined by a panel of distinguished motoring media experts.

-b&h-